Franz Hartmann

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Franz Hartmann (born November 22, 1838 in Donauwörth , Bavaria ; † August 7, 1912 in Kempten (Allgäu) ) was a German theosophist , Freemason , Rosicrucian and author of esoteric works.

Life

Childhood and youth

Franz Hartmann was born on November 22, 1838 in Donauwörth as the son of Karl Hartmann and his wife Elise von Stack . Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Kempten because his father, a general practitioner, had accepted a position as a royal Bavarian court doctor there . After his childhood, youth and school attendance in Kempten, he volunteered for the Bavarian Army in the 1st Royal Bavarian Artillery Regiment in Würzburg in 1859 . A year later he resigned and began to prepare for his state examination at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich. After graduating in 1862, he began studying pharmacology to become a pharmacist.

Experience in the USA

Before completing his studies, Hartmann went on a vacation trip to France in 1865 and when he was offered the position of a ship's doctor on a US package boat in Le Havre , he accepted out of sheer thirst for adventure. So he came to the USA, where he finally settled in St. Louis . Here he finished his studies, practiced as an ophthalmologist and acquired American citizenship. In 1870 the quiet life there became too boring for him, he gave up his successful practice and began to travel extensively. In Mexico he lived for some time in Córdoba and Orizaba , studied the Indian culture with various tribes and practiced again as a doctor in New Orleans in 1871 . In 1872 he settled in the US state of Texas , bought a farm and married. His wife died seven months later, after which Hartmann sold the farm again and began traveling again. He roamed all over the USA, learned from Indians, examined numerous parapsychological phenomena and dealt with the views of various religions until he practiced as a doctor again in Georgetown , Colorado in 1879 . In 1882 Hartmann was appointed court doctor there. Here he also joined the AFAM Masonic Lodge Georgetown No. 12 at.

The theosophist

In the USA and India

As a result of his esoteric interests he got to know and appreciate Helena Blavatsky's book Isis unveiled in 1882 , and after moving to New Orleans again, he became a member of the local lodge of the Theosophical Society (TG) in early 1883 . Following the wish to get to know Blavatsky personally, Hartmann sought contact with her by letter and consequently with Henry Steel Olcott . From this he was invited to come to India, to the headquarters of the TG, to Adyar near Madras . On October 11, 1883, he embarked in San Francisco and, after stopping over in Japan and China, reached Madras on December 4. Following the example of some of the leading theosophists in Adyar, Hartmann converted to Buddhism on December 26, 1883 . Within a very short time he became the closest confidante of Blavatsky, Olcott and Subba Row and finally administrative head of the TG headquarters. Hartmann dealt intensively with the teachings of theosophy , delved into the philosophy of Buddhism and Hinduism and dealt with the various forms of yoga . While Blavatsky, whom Hartmann liked to call dirty Franz , and Olcott were absent from Adyar on a European trip from February to December 1884, the controversial Coulomb affair began to create waves, which affected both the reputation of Blavatsky and the TG. Hartmann, as a member of the control council of the TG in Adyar, tried to defend Blavatsky, but came into conflict with the angry supporters of the TG and the public opinion that was unfavorably influenced by the report. This torpedoed Hartmann's executive function at Adyar-TG and made his further stay in India impossible. Together with Blavatsky, whose stay in India was also no longer desired due to these incidents, he left the country in the spring of 1885 (between March 26th and April 7th; there are different information about the departure date), never to return there. When he arrived in Naples, after a few days he finally separated, but on the best of terms, from Blavatsky to travel to Kempten, where he arrived on May 20, 1885.

In Germany

Shortly before October 23, 1884, Wilhelm Hübbe Schleiden had added Franz Hartmann to the list of members of the theosophical Lodge Germania . However, since January 1886, due to the Coulomb affair, which has meanwhile also become known in Germany, this has already shown serious signs of disintegration and was therefore no longer able to effectively spread the theosophical idea. It was dissolved by a majority resolution on December 31, 1886. So Hartmann came up with the idea of ​​founding a “new” German TG. This should arise unencumbered by the ruined reputation of the Adyar-TG, and through Katherine Tingley , the designated President of the Theosophical Society in America , this opportunity was presented to him in 1896. This year Tingley also visited Germany on her advertising trip around the world for (American) theosophy. Hartmann had already met Paul Raatz beforehand , and under his leadership the Theosophical Society in Europe (Germany) (TGE) was founded in Berlin on June 24, 1896 . At the first general meeting on August 30, 1896, Hartmann was elected President of the new company in the presence of Katherine Tingley, and Theodor Reuss became Vice President. On September 3, 1897, Hartmann separated again from the TGE in order to found the International Theosophical Fraternization (ITV) in Munich on the same day . As a superordinate organization, this should unite all theosophical lodges. Hartmann himself was president of the ITV for a year, and in 1898 he handed this office over to Hermann Rudolph (1865–1946). Under the umbrella of the ITV, Hartmann founded the Theosophical Society in Germany (TGD) in Leipzig in 1898 , whose members were often referred to as "Hartmannians" because their theosophical direction was shaped by their founder. This society still exists today (2005).

In Austria

Since the mid-1880s, Hartmann had known Friedrich Eckstein , who was well educated and interested in esotericism in Vienna, who had already got to know theosophy earlier and had met Blavatsky and Olcott in England in 1884. Hartmann found a kindred spirit here and made him, and later his wife Bertha Diener , acquainted with various yoga techniques in addition to theosophy . Eckstein was close friends with Sigmund Freud , who got to know theosophy and yoga in this way. Eckstein's circle of friends also included Rudolf Steiner , who was studying in Vienna at the time and who first came into close contact with theosophy through this source. Eckstein, known to numerous "greats" at the turn of the century (19th / 20th), conveyed his theosophical ideas to Anton Bruckner , Hugo von Hofmannsthal , Karl Kraus , Adolf Loos , Robert Musil , Rainer Maria Rilke , Felix Salten , among others , Arthur Schnitzler , Franz Werfel and Hugo Wolf . When Eckstein, authorized by a deed of foundation issued by Helena Blavatsky in 1886, founded a Theosophical Society in Vienna , Hartmann was elected President.

In 1903 Hartmann came into contact with Guido von List , who had published an article there on the "Aryan original language", through the occult journal Gnosis (merged in 1904 with Rudolf Steiner's journal Lucifer to form Lucifer Gnosis ) . Hartmann made contact with the Viennese and the German TGD (TGD) and introduced List to theosophy. List was especially enthusiastic about the eclecticism of theosophical teachings. From them he took over cosmological ideas and the like. a. also the root race hypothesis of Helena Blavatsky and misused it by mixing it with the racism of Arthur Gobineau to create an " ariosophy ". From his acquaintance with List, Hartmann developed a close relationship with the Guido von List Society that existed until his death in 1912.

Karl Kellner , a Viennese paper industrialist, came into contact with theosophy and yoga through Hartmann. Together they developed the lignosulfite inhalation method against whooping cough and tuberculosis in the 1890s . Through Kellner's mediation, Hartmann was able to get a well-paid job at the Lahmann sanatorium in Hallein, Austria, where he successfully applied this method to Gustav Meyrink , among others . For Hartmann, who suffered from a chronic lack of money for most of his life, this position was particularly interesting from a financial point of view, as it ensured him a regular income.

In secret societies and secret societies

From 1902 Hartmann, Kellner and Theodor Reuss were active in spreading a rite of Egyptian high-grade masonry that the English occultist John Yarker had created by merging the Memphis and Misraim rites. On December 27, 1903, Karl Kellner was appointed 33 °, 90 °, 96 ° of England and Germany. After the death of Karl Kellner in 1905, Yarker granted Reuss 33 °, 96 °, Franz Hartmann 33 °, 95 °, Heinrich Klein 33 °, 95 ° the right to use the degrees of the Memphis Misraim rite 1–33 °, 90 ° To edit 95 °. As early as 1904, Franz Hartmann began to distance himself sharply from Reuss and Kellner because of their occult practice. Franz Hartmann tried to prevent the "deal" that Reuss made with Rudolf Steiner in January 1906, which basically included the sale of Hochgraden. January 22, 1906 is the first date of an (English) constitution of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), which Reuss designed into a kind of umbrella organization. He retroactively included the Memphis Misraim rite in the OTO and retrospectively declared all Memphis Misraim members from 1902 to 1906 to be OTO members without their knowledge and consent. The aim of Reuss was to have a considerable gallery of ancestors for recruiting new members. For historical research, this initially led to the opinion that Hartmann and Steiner were members of the OTO, which they never were. High-grade representatives of the then German Memphis Misraim such. B. Paul Eberhardt and Emil Adrianyi only found out about the existence of an OTO around 1912 and were of the opinion that Reuss had predated the founding date of the OTO to 1906. Horst Miers suspects in his Lexicon of Secret Knowledge that Hartmann, together with Leopold Engel , is said to have founded the esoteric order of Rosicrucian in Dresden . However, since Hartmann clearly rejected (earthly) organized Rosicrucianism and instead advocated a loose spiritual association of theosophical adepts, this assumption appears very questionable.

The writer

Franz Hartmann was considered a master of the language. He was able to explain even difficult connections in simple and easily understandable words. According to him, he never wanted to become a writer, but began to write for "self-teaching", initially in English and later in German. His main work was the magazine Lotusblüten , which he published for 13 years and in which he wrote most of the articles himself. Many of these essays were later published in book form. He also published in the magazines Sphinx and Neue Metaphysische Rundschau . In addition to the Christian mystics , he wrote about yoga , the Vedas , Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita . Occultism and magic were just as much a part of his repertoire as topics from theosophy. Hartmann also worked as a translator. B. the Bhagavad Gita or the Tao Te King from English.

death

Memorial plaque for Franz Hartmann in Kempten

Since 1885 Hartmann has practically only traveled to the German-speaking countries and England, but these all the more frequently, giving numerous lectures, primarily on theosophy. He died on August 7, 1912 in Kempten (Allgäu) while driving home from a lecture tour to his last residence in Algund near Merano. He was buried in Kempten.

criticism

Hartmann can be seen as one of the most important pioneers of theosophy in German-speaking countries. In addition to his many contacts, he reached a large and above all influential audience through numerous lectures and publications. He created connections between the religious and mystical world of India and Europe and thus contributed significantly to the spread of Eastern philosophies in the West. On the other hand, Hartmann's work contradicts the traditional Christian denominations and is therefore rejected by them.

Works (selection)

  • Lotus flowers , as editor
  • Johannes Fährmann (ie Hans Fändrich): Franz Hartmann's selected theosophical works, 10 volumes. Schatzkammerverlag, Buenos Aires / Calw 1954–1992.
  • Other dimensions of thought, knowledge and realization, an introduction to occult science. Manas, Stuttgart 1984, ISBN 3-89071-004-2 : Title of the original edition: Popular lectures on occult science . Leipzig undated
  • Autobiography. Theosophy in Motion eV, Frankfurt a. M., Series No. 04.
  • Reflections on the Tao-Teh-King. The way, the truth and the light. Theosophical Central bookshop, Leipzig undated
  • The gospel of the Buddha, his life and teaching . Ullrich, Calw 1994, ISBN 3-924411-52-2 .
  • Memorable memories. Theosophical publishing house, Leipzig undated
  • The knowledge of the Bhagavad-gita, viewed in the light of the secret teaching. Lang, Kolbermoor 1999, ISBN 3-930664-06-2 .
  • The secret doctrine in the Christian religion according to the declaration of Meister Eckhart. Verlag von Wilhelm Friedrich, Leipzig o. J.
  • The mysticism in Goethe's “Faust”, a contemplation. Theosophical publishing house, Leipzig 1918.
  • The symbols of the Bible and the Church, their esoteric meanings. Schatzkammerverlag, Calw 1966.
  • Elementals. Their natures and different characters, groups, types and classes. Verlag Heliakon, 2012, ISBN 978-3-943208-04-7 .
  • Outline of HP Blavatsky's Secret Doctrine. Schatzkammerverlag, Calw 1980.
  • Hermetic children's stories. Jaeger'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Leipzig 38 o..J.
  • Yehoshua the Prophet of Nazareth. Verlag Heliakon, 2012, ISBN 978-3-943208-05-4 .
  • Karma or knowing, working and becoming, with practical instructions about occult science for all who not only want to know but also want to become. Lang, Kolbermoor 1999, ISBN 3-930664-00-3 .
  • Buried alive. An examination of the nature and causes of apparent death and the means of preventing being buried alive. Theosophical publishing house Dr. Hugo Vollrath, Leipzig undated
  • Mysteries, symbols and magical powers. Lotus-Verlag, Leipzig 1902.
  • Theophrastus Paracelsus as a mystic. Theosophical publishing house, Leipzig 1930.
  • Theosophical correspondence, containing the answer to numerous questions relating to theosophy, magic, occultism, spiritualism, secret sciences etc. Lotus-Verlag, Leipzig undated (after 1901).
  • Among the Adepts and Rosicrucians. Schikowski, Berlin 1986.
  • Among the adepts. Confidential communications from the circles of Indian adepts and Christian mystics. Lotus-Verlag, Leipzig 1901.
  • Among the gnomes in Untersberg. Verlag von Wilhelm Friedrich, Leipzig o. J.
  • Confidential communications. Second expanded edition, Theosophical Publishing House, Leipzig 1924.
  • What is yoga Schatzkammerverlag, Calw 1962.
  • The basics of astrological geomancy. Verlag Heliakon, 2015, ISBN 978-3-943208-24-5 .

literature

  • Walter Einbeck (Ed.): In memory of Dr. Franz Hartmann (1838-1912) . Theosophical Culture Publishing House, Leipzig 1925.
  • Franz Hartmann: Autobiographical writings . Ullrich, Calw o. J., ISBN 3-924411-44-1 .
  • Wolfgang Heller:  Hartmann, Franz. In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Volume 17, Bautz, Herzberg 2000, ISBN 3-88309-080-8 , Sp. 615-619.  ( Article / beginning of article in Internet archive )
  • Georg Priem: Franz Hartmann, his life and work, a memorial in memory of the founder of the international theosophical fraternization . Theosophical Culture Publishing House, Leipzig 1912.
  • KO Schmidt: Mysteries of the Soul, Dynamic Theosophy from A to Z, A Franz Hartmann Breviary . Drei Eichen Verlag, Engelberg and Munich 1979, ISBN 3-7699-0319-6 .
  • Helena Wegner: Contributions to the history of the wisdom religion , Chapter XX: Modern heralds of the wisdom religion, Dr. Franz Hartmann . Page 422 ff., 2nd edition, Adyar-Verlag, Graz 1970.
  • Charlotte Wegner (Ed.): Franz Hartmann - The Message of Theosophy , A selection from his complete works with a biographical essay by Stefanie Walter, Aquamarin Verlag, Grafing 2018, ISBN 978-3-89472-834-2

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke: The Occult Roots of National Socialism.
  2. ↑ Peter-R. König: The OTO phenomenon remix. ARW, Munich 2001.
  3. ↑ see also the publication by Peter-Robert König : Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925): never a member of any OTO
  4. ↑ Harald Lamprecht : New Rosicrucians. A manual. Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht, Göttingen 2004.

Web links

Biographies

Memberships

personal data
SURNAME Hartmann, Franz
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German theosophist and author of esoteric works
DATE OF BIRTH November 22, 1838
PLACE OF BIRTH Donauwörth
DATE OF DEATH August 7, 1912
Place of death Kempten (Allgäu)